Warriors Return to Top Four
Adam Pompey scores for the Warriors against the Dragons in Auckland
Adam Pompey scored two second-half tries to guide the New Zealand Warriors to a 14-10 victory over St George Illawarra at Go Media Stadium. The win returned the Warriors to the NRL top four three games from finals. The Dragons, seeking their own finals hopes, had to battle through most of the game with only two fit players available on the bench.
The Warriors trailed for more than 60 minutes before Pompey crossed twice within a 10-minute span to turn the game around. Tanah Boyd scored from one of the tries to make the score 10-10 before the home side turned it around to win the match.
Dragons Lose Three to Head Knocks
The Dragons’ challenge was left badly derailed when Jack de Belin and Hamish Stewart were both ruled out in the 14th minute after a head clash following a tackle on James Fisher-Harris. Both of them returned negative Category 1 Head Injury Tests.
Jack de Belin and Hamish Stewart down injured after head clash during match
In the 29th minute, Hame Sele also came off the field with them after he was knocked unconscious attempting to make a low tackle on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. He was also taken out by a Category 1 concussion, so only two players for the Dragons were fit to play on the bench for the remainder of the game.
Feagai Scores Twice for the Dragons
Mathew Feagai celebrates scoring for the St George Illawarra Dragons
Mathew Feagai gave the Dragons a first-half advantage in what was a highly entertaining game with two tries. The first was in the 11th minute after a short pass from Kyle Flanagan, and the second came after a timely pass from Lyhkan King-Togia in the 21st minute. Flanagan contributed the second try to leave the lead at 10-0.
The Warriors responded in the 33rd minute when Chanel Harris-Tavita finished a left-edge play that began with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Boyd’s attempted conversion struck the post, and the score was 10-4 at halftime.
Warriors Build Pressure in Second Half
Home team maintained possession in the beginning of the second half but were thwarted by determined Dragons defence. Sustained pressure eventually yielded in the 63rd minute when Pompey crossed after pretending to dummy from close to the line. The Bunker repelled the try with obstruction claims from the Dragons.
Pompey’s second try came after another attack incursion, the center again finding room near the line. The score was led to 14-10, and the Warriors closed the game with possession in hand.
Dragons’ Defensive Effort
Despite the cost in terms of injuries, the Dragons still had dominant defensive players. Damien Cook had 61 tackles, David Klemmer came up with 36 tackles and had 151 metres, and Jacob Liddle added 35 tackles. Fullback Clint Gutherson even played lock to make up for the gap in the forward pack.
Coach Shane Flanagan only brought on 18th man Tyrell Sloan in the 67th minute. Sloan had a late attacking chance but chose to pass rather than run, and the movement folded.
Warriors Without Metcalf
The Warriors again took to the park without injured halfback Luke Metcalf, who in June suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Boyd occupied a spot in the halves alongside Harris-Tavita and helped both of Pompey’s tries. The side has now taken three of the last six since Metcalf’s loss.
Andrew Webster’s team has a decent run home against sides outside of the top eight, providing the opportunity to have combinations correct before finals. The victory over the Dragons kept them in contention for double chance in the playoffs.
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Match Summary
The Dragons led 10-0 after 21 minutes through Feagai’s double, but the loss of three forwards to concussion shifted the contest. Harris-Tavita’s try narrowed the margin before halftime, and Pompey’s two tries in the second half sealed the Warriors’ comeback win.
The final tally was Warriors 14, Dragons 10, and the home side celebrated reaching Indigenous Round in their Te Ao Mārama jerseys. The Dragons left Auckland with no points in competition but praise for their defensive resilience under unheralded pressure.
